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Nikon's Coolpix S8100 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Nikon S8100: Update to S8000 focuses on image quality
By
(Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 00:01 EDT)

For its third announcement of the day, Nikon Inc. has unveiled its new Nikon Coolpix S8100 digital camera, an update to its previous S8000 model that seems focused on improving image quality.

Unlike its predecessor, which used a standard CCD, the Nikon S8100 is based around a backside-illuminated CMOS image sensor, which places its circuitry on the reverse (non-light gathering) side, offering up more of the active side of the sensor for photodiode area, and hence potentially increasing image sensitivity or reducing noise levels. At the same time, the Coolpix S8100 dials back the megapixel rating just slightly from fourteen to 12.1 effective megapixels, yielding still larger photodiodes.

The S8100's sensor is coupled with a Nikkor-branded 10x optical zoom lens which offers 35mm-equivalent focal lengths ranging from 30 to 300mm on a 35mm camera - a moderate wide angle to a useful telephoto. As well as still imaging, the S8100 offers Full HD (1080p; 1,920 x 1,280 pixel) movie recording with stereo audio. Images and movies are framed and reviewed on a 3.0-inch LCD with 921,600 dot resolution.

The Nikon S8100 stores images on Secure Digital cards, including the latest-generation SDHC and SDXC types. Connectivity includes an HDMI high-definition video output. Power comes from an EN-EL12 lithium ion rechargeable battery, said to be good for 220 shots on a charge to CIPA standards.

The Nikon Coolpix S8100 ships from late September 2010, priced at $300. More details can be found in our Nikon S8100 preview.

Nikon Coolpix S8100
Nikon's Coolpix S8100 digital camera. Photo provided by Nikon Inc. Click for a bigger picture!
General
Camera TypeCompact
ManufacturerNikon
Model NumberNorth America: S8100
Dimensions4.1 x 2.4 x 1.2 in.
(104 x 59 x 30 mm)
Weight6.5 oz (184 g)
Planned Price$300
Planned AvailabilitySeptember 2010
Image Capture
Sensor TypeCMOS
1/2.3" (approx. 0.43 in. diagonal)
12.10 megapixels (effective)
Aspect Ratio4:3, 16:9
Image Dimensions4000 x 3000 (12.0 megapixels)
3968 x 2232 (8.9 megapixels)
3264 x 2448 (8.0 megapixels)
2592 x 1944 (5.0 megapixels)
2048 x 1536 (3.1 megapixels)
1024 x 768 (0.8 megapixels)
640 x 480 (0.3 megapixels)
Capture SpeedContinuous: 10.0 frames per second for 5 frames
Image Preview / Review
ViewfinderNo
LCD3.0 in. diagonal
921,000 dots (approx. 307,000 pixels)
Lens
Lens TypeZoom-Nikkor VR ED lens; 10 elements in 8 groups
10x optical zoom
Image StabilizationYes
Focal Length5.4 - 54.0mm (actual)
30 - 300mm (35mm equivalent)
Aperture Rangef/3.5 or f/7 (wide) / f/5.6 or ?? (tele) (2-step ND filter)
Focusing SystemContrast Detection with Face-Priority AF and Subject Tracking AF
Has AF assist lamp
Focusing RangeNormal: 20" - infinity (50 cm - infinity)
Macro: 0.4" - 4,082" (1 cm - 10,000 cm)
Exposure
ISO SensitivityAuto, Fixed Range Auto, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
Exposure ModesProgram
Metering ModesMatrix, center-weighted
White BalanceImage Sensor - Auto, Daylight, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Flash, Preset Manual (Custom)
Internal FlashModes: Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Flash off, Fill flash, Slow sync
Creative
Scene Modes17 Scene Modes
Self TimerYes, 2 or 10 seconds
Movie Format.MOV (H.264 + AAC stereo) with audio
Storage
Recording MediumSD/MMC including SDHC, Built-in
File SystemFAT16, FAT32, complies with Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF)
File FormatJPEG
Connectivity
VideoHigh definition: Yes (HDMI)
Standard definition: Yes, NTSC / PAL switchable
ComputerUSB 2.0 High Speed
OtherMini HDMI
Power
Battery TypeLithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Form FactorProprietary EN-EL12
Product Bundle
SoftwareNikon Software Suite CD-ROM
Battery / Charger1 x Proprietary EN-EL12 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery and charger
Other
Digital Print Order Format (DPOF) compliantYes
PictBridge CompliantYes
Internal MicrophoneYes
Internal SpeakerYes
Tripod MountYes
Notes4-way VR Image Stabilization, Full HD (1080p) Movies, HDR mode, Nigh Portrait mode, Night Landscape mode, Smart Portrait System, Subject Tracking AF, High-speed Shooting. Available in black, red and gold.
 

Original Source Press Release:

Nikon's New Coolpix S8100 Gives Consumers High-Speed Shooting And Super 10x Zoom To Capture ''Can't Miss'' Moments Even In Low-Light Conditions

The S8100's Compact Design Includes 12.1 MP CMOS Sensor to Capture Amazing Photos Up To 10 FPS

MELVILLE, NY (September 8, 2010) – Nikon Inc. today announced the COOLPIX S8100, which offers a 12.1‐megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor to provide consumers with enhanced performance and outstanding image quality for high‐speed shooting and low‐light conditions. Fast, responsive and versatile, the Nikon COOLPIX S8100 with an incredible 10X zoom will capture fast‐moving subjects in still images and HD (1080p) movies.

To help capture moments that are gone in an instant, the COOLPIX S8100 not only features high‐speed shooting at five full resolution frames at up to 10 frames‐per‐second (fps), but a pre‐shooting cache that records up to two shots before the shutter‐release is fully pressed. For extremely fast action shots, the S8100's Sports Continuous mode records up to approximately 120 fps. With Subject Tracking, the S8100 automatically tracks a designated subject by activating autofocus (AF), enabling the user to capture the best moment confidently. The S8100 also adopts Nikon's exclusive EXPEED C2™ image processing engine, which is customized to each COOLPIX model to further drive enhanced performance, outstanding image quality and HD video.

Staying true to the legacy of the Style Series, the S8100 empowers users with serious performance and image quality, while remaining stylish and compact. Equipped with a 10x Optical Zoom‐NIKKOR ED glass lens (30‐300mm, 35mm equivalent), the COOLPIX S8100 allows the user to get close to the action, even when recording a movie in Full HD (1080p). For that family film producer, the S8100 features one‐touch recording, optical zoom and stereo sound recording while filming for an enhanced user experience. Additionally, users can perfect their movies in‐camera with a new editing function or snap still images while recording.

"Our portfolio of compact digital cameras is designed to equip photographers of any level with the features and functions they will need for various shooting situations in a portable, compact body," said Bo Kajiwara, director of marketing, Nikon Inc. "The COOLPIX S8100 blends superior high‐speed and low‐light performance with a sleek and stylish design for a camera that is not only ready to go when you are, but one you are proud to show off."

Advanced Technologies for Beautiful Nighttime Shots
The COOLPIX S8100 features a 12.1‐megapixel backside illumination CMOS sensor, which enables exceptional image quality even when shooting in low‐light settings. This CMOS sensor lends itself to enhanced shooting functions in dark situations, including the advanced Night Portrait mode, which reproduces night scenes and indoor portraits as the user sees them while reducing image blur. The Night Portrait mode combines consecutive shots of the background while the subject is taken using the flash, allowing challenging night scenes to be easily captured during handheld shooting and eliminating any subject movement. To further help deliver crisp, sharp photos, the S8100 features a 4‐Way vibration reduction (VR) Image Stabilization System with ISO settings up to 3200.

Other functions benefitting from the lower noise and exceptional image quality of the new CMOS image sensor include an advanced Backlight shooting function with an in‐camera high dynamic range (HDR) function, which merges images of the same scene to achieve a single image with a broad range of tonal detail for a frame‐worthy shot. Additionally, the S8100's advanced Night Landscape mode combines a series of five consecutive shots taken at a fast shutter speed into a single image with reduced noise for when taking handheld shots. From romantic candlelit dinners to capturing the bright lights of New York City at night, the COOLPIX S8100 ensures that no low‐light moment will be left in the dark.

Creative Versatility
The COOLPIX S8100 helps unleash the user's photographic potential with enhanced shooting and editing functions, including a new Mode Dial conveniently placed next to the shutter‐release button for quick and easy access to shooting modes. The COOLPIX S8100 also features the Creative Slider, which simplifies adjusting brightness, saturation and color tone in‐camera. Other in‐camera editing functions include Quick Retouch and D‐Lighting, giving users the ability to adjust their images during playback.

To further help the process of composing and sharing photos and movies, the COOLPIX S8100 boasts a 3.0‐inch ultra high resolution (921,000‐dot) Clear Color Display with a wide viewing angle and anti‐glare coating. Additional must‐have features in the S8100 include 17 scene modes, including the Scene Auto Selector, which automatically recognizes the shooting situation and adjusts camera settings accordingly for great photos in any environment. For outstanding portraits, the S8100 features Nikon's Smart Portrait System, which incorporates a series of automatic functions including In‐Camera Red‐Eye Fix™, improved Face‐Priority AF, Blink Warning, Smile Timer and Skin Softening to flatter even the most camera‐shy subject.

Availability and Pricing
The COOLPIX S8100 will be available late September 2010 for $299.95* MSRP in a choice of attractive colors including black, red and gold.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award‐winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. For more information, dial (800) NIKON‐UX or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
**MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time

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